The sand play area is open daily during swim lessons for use by swim lesson parents and their other children not enrolled in lessons. Please note, all participants must exit the park before open swim begins.

The tot pool and other park pools are not open during swim lessons.

Completing a session of swim lessons does not insure passing that level automatically. There are standard requirements set for each level that must be completed. If a participant is not successful in passing he/she will be required to remain in that level until all requirements have been met. It is very common for a student to take a level for more than one session especially if that level was completed the previous summer. Levels 2, 3, and 5 are particularly challenging.

The tot pool and other park pools WILL NOT BE OPEN during swim lessons.

2012 Registration Procedures
Swim lesson registration will now be accepted by mail-in, walk-in, fax-in, phone-in or online to best accommodate varying schedules of our users.

Priority registration for residents is accepted beginning on Monday, April 2 on a first-come, first-served basis by all the methods listed above.

Registration for nonresidents will start being accepted on Monday, April 16 on a first-come, first-served basis by all the methods listed above. You may assume your enrollment is verified if you do not hear from the Park District. We will contact you only if we cannot accommodate your request or the class does not meet minimum enrollment.

We Love Parents, but...

With your child's best interest in mind, parents, guardians, and siblings of participants are asked to remain in any of the facility's grass areas located near the concession stand, behind the adult deck or up on the sun hill next to the splash pad during instruction.  Direct class observation will be available on the first day of lessons and each Friday of the session only. Our instructors have found that their quality of instruction has often been affected by parent and/or sibling distractions, interruptions and various other concerns during class time. We also feel it is most beneficial for children to have recreational time with their peers. Thank you for your understanding.

General Swim Lessons (ages 5 and over)

On the first day of each session participants will be tested on their abilities and placed in the appropriate level. Classes are 40 minutes long and session runs 2 weeks Monday-Friday. Please note: Certain levels are only offered at certain times.

Level 1 - Water Exploration
Orientation to an aquatic environment, supported floating and kicking on front and back, alternating arm action, and basic water safety rules.
Level 2 - Primary Skills
Concentration on exploring deep water, front and back glides (unsupported), and safety practices.  Additional focus on back crawl (at least 5 yards), as well as the ability for the child to turn over front to back and back to front.
Level 3 - Stroke Readiness
Increase swimming skill competency, fundamentals of elementary backstroke, exploring deep water, introduction of dives from the side of the pool, and treading water with secondary focus on practicing safety and rescue skills.
Level 4 - Stroke Development
Develop confidence and competency in strokes beyond preceding levels. Introduction of breaststroke and sidestroke, deep-water bobbing, diving from the side of pool from stride and standing positions, and turns at the wall.
Level 5 - Stroke Refinement
Continue refinement of front crawl, back crawl, elementary backstroke, breaststroke and sidestroke. Introduction of butterfly and surface dives, alternate breathing, swimming under water, and open turns on front and back. Swimmers should be ready for competitive swimming after the completion of this level.
Level 6 - Skill Proficiency
Develop maximum efficiency and endurance for strokes, flip turns, tuck and pike surface dives, alternative kicks for treading water, as well as introduction to approach stroke and throwing rescues.
Level 7 - Advanced Skills
Refine strokes learned in previous levels; teach more advanced rescue skills, in-water rescue techniques utilizing equipment, conditioning principles, assist with a backboard rescue.
 

Click here for class codes and online registration

Tot Swim Lessons
This program is designed for children ages 3-4 who have never been involved in organized swim lessons. Tot Swim lessons will introduce the children to an aquatic environment, water safety, kicking, blowing bubbles, arm circles and more in a comfortable format to help make learning fun. Small instructor-to-child ratios make this a great option for more individualized attention. Classes are 40 minutes long and session runs 2 weeks Monday-Friday.

Tot Swim Lesson Important Info - If your child is under the age of 5 they must stay in Tot Swim Lessons until they reach the age of 5. Age requirements for levels are set with standards and must be followed consistently. Please follow the age requirements when registering. To further accommodate those children under 5 who are ready for a more advanced Tot class, the Tot group will be divided into Tot A and Tot B levels. Once a tot has passed Tot A he or she will have the opportunity to move into Tot B. Tot B is just like Level 1, but is available for those children who have not yet turned 5.

Class Times:

8:45am-9:25am
9:30am-10:10am
10:15am-10:55am
5:40pm-6:20pm

Click here for class codes and online registration

Parent & Tot Water Orientation
It is never too early to introduce your child to the water. Simple games and movements will help your child adjust to the water. Classes are 30 minutes long and session runs 2 weeks Monday-Friday. Parent must be in the water with the child. Only one parent per child please.

Classes available:
10:15am-10:45am
5:45pm-6:45pm

Private Swim Lessons

Private swim lessons allow the participant the opportunity to work with the swim instructor on a one-on-one basis at their own pace. These lessons are ideal for children, adults, or someone with a fear of the water. Private lessons are 30 minutes long and session runs 2 weeks Monday-Thursday.  

11am-11:30am  

Semi-Private Swim Lessons
Semi-private lessons are ideal for participants who desire a little extra attention from the instructor, but still wish to participate in a class setting. 2-3 participants will be grouped according to ability. Semi-private lessons are 30 minutes long and session runs 2 weeks Monday-Thursday.

11am-11:40am  

Where do I go the First Day?

The first day of swim lessons is very busy with mandatory water testing to insure that the proper level of instruction is provided for each participant.  We appreciate your patience with this process. If there are any questions please see the Swim Lesson Coordinator.